Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls (Printable Version)

Fluffy rolls swirl apples, cinnamon, and caramel glaze. Warm, sweet treat for brunch or dessert.

# Ingredients:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup whole milk, warmed
06 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs

→ Filling

08 - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
09 - 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 cups Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, diced

→ Caramel Glaze

12 - 1/2 cup caramel sauce
13 - 1 cup powdered sugar
14 - 2 tablespoons whole milk (more as needed for consistency)

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir in instant yeast and let stand 5 minutes until frothy. Add eggs and salt, mixing well.
02 - Gradually incorporate all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, until a dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
03 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
04 - Mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Peel and dice apples into small cubes.
05 - Punch down the risen dough. On a floured surface, roll it into a 16 by 12 inch rectangle. Evenly spread softened butter over the surface. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture and distribute diced apples uniformly.
06 - Tightly roll up the dough from the long side into a log. Slice into 12 equal pieces. Arrange in a greased baking dish with space between each roll. Cover and proof for 30 minutes.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Meanwhile, proceed with the caramel glaze.
08 - In a bowl, whisk together caramel sauce, powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth and pourable. Add additional milk to adjust consistency as needed.
09 - Remove rolls from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Drizzle caramel glaze generously over warm rolls before serving.

# Notes:

01 - For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut oil for butter and use non-dairy milk. Mixing apple varieties yields a deeper flavor profile.